New opportunities for Malaysia’s innovators: Motorola’s new Penang R&D centre

AvantiKumar |
Oct. 2, 2014

Currently, Motorola's largest R&D facility outside of the US, Penang-based Ïnnoplex also opens a new chapter in supporting the Malaysia’s Economic Transformation Plan, said Motorola's Bruce Brda.

(From left): Bruce Brda and Dr. Hari Narayanan describe the functions of the latest two-way radio technology by Motorola Solutions Malaysia to Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry.

Motorola Solutions' new R&D centre in Penang, known as Innoplex, signals a new chapter in the company's support of Malaysia's Economic Transformation Programme [ETP] as well as presents new opportunities for the country's innovators, said the communications solutions provider.

"The opening of the Innoplex building not only marks another historical milestone for the Penang site, it also stamps a new era of opportunity for this Malaysian site to join an elite group of innovators and inventors across the company," said Motorola Solutions senior vice president, systems and products, Bruce Brda.

Brda said Innoplex, which was currently the company's largest R&D facility outside of the U.S., was equipped with state-of the-art laboratories, and product design and development capabilities that would allow the development of the next generation of mission-critical Land Mobile Radio (LMR), broadband-LTE devices and system solutions for the company's customers throughout the world.

"[The inventors here] will help ensure Motorola Solutions continues to meet and exceed the expectations of the customers, focusing from built-quality and reliability of our products, to the development and usage of leading-edge technologies that deliver the right solutions at the right time for our customers," he said.

Brda said the new one-stop design centre will have approximately 1,200 engineers and support associates onsite, and will also accommodate teams from various disciplines including industrial design, software, electrical and electronics engineering, mechanical engineering and program management.

"The Innoplex is one of the largest design centres in Malaysia and in Motorola Solutions as well," said Dr Narayanan. "As we consolidate all of our R&D facilities and functions, we look forward to success and achievement as our dedicated and capable team continue to develop innovative solutions for our customers."

He said the laboratories have been fitted with advanced test equipment to conduct "rigorous compliance testing of radio communications products, along with development of new products. The Innoplex will also help the company consolidate all its R&D functions, creating an ideal environment for improved productivity and operational efficiency."

In addition, Innoplex comprised 227,000 square feet on seven floors and was linked via a bridge to the Motorola Solutions' manufacturing facility, known as the Technoplex. With the opening of this centre, the Innoplex will assist to integrate the company's operations in Penang into a single site.